The best road cycling routes around Pietraferrazzana

Historic Franciscan monastery in an oasis of peace. The Convento di San Pasquale (officially the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli) is hidden in the greenery on the hill of Vallaspra, just outside the medieval town of Atessa. This impressive complex was founded as early as 1408 by the blessed Tommaso da Firenze. It is built entirely of natural stone and exudes a serene, historic atmosphere. Although the interior and the beautiful monastery garden with the central well (from 1709) are unfortunately often closed to the public due to varying opening hours, the complex is an absolute sight to behold from the outside. Under the large portico at the front, you can still admire a centuries-old fresco of the Pietà. Moreover, the quiet, shady surroundings are perfect for a well-deserved break during your sporting tour. Fun fact: the monastery used to lend its name to the well-known local herbal liqueur "Amaro San Pasquale", which was originally prepared by the monks with herbs from this valley.

Ex-Fossacesia Station – The historic railway heart by the sea. The old Fossacesia Marina train station is a fascinating cultural-historical stop right along the route. Today, this nostalgic building marks the spot where the historic Adriatic Railway (Ferrovia Adriatica) thundered along since 1862, until the railway was moved inland in 2005 to make way for the current Via Verde. Although the characteristic building was a symbol of bygone glory for many years, the place breathes pure railway history. It is also the place where the 19th-century industrial revolution and the ancient fishing tradition literally shook hands. The historical significance behind this stop: the backbone of the trabocchi: When workers laid the tracks for this station in the 19th century, they left heavy materials lying around. Resourceful fishermen used the abandoned, heavy railway sleepers, iron bolts, and telegraph cables to anchor nearby trabocchi (like Punta Rocciosa) indestructibly into the seabed. The train thus gave the fishing spiders their iron backbone! Climb to the Goddess of Love: this station was historically the gateway for travelers making pilgrimages to the higher-lying 12th-century San Giovanni in Venere Abbey. Future Tourist Hub! There's a breath of fresh air blowing through the heritage! In May 2026, the final expropriation process will be completed. The province of Chieti is currently transforming this old station into a modern tourist hub and co-working space. Komoot tip: use the ample parking around the old station as the ideal starting point for your bike tour, or pause here to capture the contrasts between the old architecture and the modern cycling infrastructure.

The Trabucchi cycle path (officially known as the Via Verde dei Trabocchi) is a beautiful, largely flat cycle path over 50 kilometers long that runs along the Adriatic coast of the Italian region of Abruzzo on a former railway line. The path owes its name to the trabocchi (singular: trabocco): unique, monumental wooden fishing platforms on stilts that tower over the water like giant spiders.

The Ciclovia Adriatica in Abruzzo (better known as Bike to Coast) is a 131-kilometer cycle path that covers the entire coastline of the Abruzzo region. The route runs from Martinsicuro (coastal border with Marche) to San Salvo (border with Molise). The route is mostly flat, mostly car-free, and crosses 19 coastal municipalities.

Pleasant cycle path on the Abruzzo coast

Beautiful clear water, but so cold

The inhabitants of Abruzzo and the neighboring region of Lazio have their own local observation related to this Passo Lanciano. When the sun sets in the spring behind the mighty Majella massif, it quickly gets dark on the Abruzzo side (i.e., where Passo Lanciano is located) and dusk falls, while on the other side of the mountains, in Lazio, it is still bright daylight. Locals joke that at the same moment, one half of Italy goes to sleep, and the other goes for an aperitivo.

The Guado Liscia refuge is nestled in the woods of Alto Molise, on the pass connecting Agnone and Capracotta, practically on the border with Abruzzo. It's a popular stopping point for hikers, motorcyclists, and cyclists, offering traditional cuisine, a simple yet welcoming atmosphere, and good reviews for the quality of the food. It's open year-round, and in winter, it becomes a strategic shelter along the area's often snow-covered roads, offering refreshment amidst unspoiled nature and mountain views.